The European Security Seminar-South is designed to examine the challenges to Europe emanating from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and to develop appropriate responses. Central to this one-week program is a holistic security approach. In today’s globalized world, evolving security threats in countries on Europe`s wider Southern Flank most likely have implications for the entire Mediterranean and European regions, which deeply influence national governments, as well as the lives of individuals and communities alike – refugee migration and violent extremism being just two security-issue examples. Hence, enduring solutions to security challenges can only be found and implemented in partnerships, and multilateral and whole-of-government approaches are essential to address these multi-faceted problems.

It is from this premise that the 2019 iteration of the ESS-S will explore security challenges in the steadily evolving post-Arab-Uprising era. While previous ESS-S courses addressed the dissolution of order, Crisis Response/Prevention, and demographic change in the MENA region, the 2019 program will focus on the changes in regional orders as they have been unfolding most recently. The steadily declining security situation, caused by civil war, failed states, fractured societies, refugees and displaced persons, rampant poverty, violent extremism and organized crime, has had considerable regional implications. Whether to protect national security or to project influence, a growing number of regional powers are leaving increasing footprints in the region – most important among these regions are the Gulf countries, Iran and Turkey. However, the Russia, China, U.S. and EU presences in the region are also impacted. The pursuit of geopolitical strategic interests by all means, including proxy wars, are ever more acutely felt on this broader basis.

Discussion Topics

How can the recent evolution of MENA regional order and security be adequately assessed and what does this mean for the Mediterranean region and for Europe?

What are the implications for security partnerships, especially for EU and NATO?

What needs to be done in order to achieve more stability in the region?

Expected accomplishments

This seminar will be conducted by subject-matter experts from the George C. Marshall Center, along with adjunct professors and guest lecturers from national and international European and Euro-Atlantic security organizations, as well as from relevant private sector actors. It will invite representatives from the EU’s Mediterranean Union and NATO PFP, MD and ICI, African countries (Tunisia, Mali, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and Libya), Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Authorities, Israel, and Southern EU/NATO members (Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, France, Turkey).

The seminar is structured and designed in such a way to be able to capture the insights from these representatives as to how the EU and NATO can formulate new strategies towards the Southern Flank while minimizing negative spillovers and “collateral damage” to NATO and EU neighbors and partners in the region.

Indicators of achievement

The principal indicator of achievement is that the ideas and recommendations from the seminar inform EU and NATO strategic thinking and the understanding of the new regional order and its impact. The secondary objective is the inclusion of socio-politico-economic contexts into a wider understanding of security. Lastly, the final objective is for George C. Marshall Center’s role as facilitator and honest broker within the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian community of strategic experts and institutions be strengthened.

Main activities

ESS-S addresses the topic by providing three different platforms for discussions, exchange of ideas, networking and strategy development. The first platform includes conference-style lectures, panels and plenary discussions; the second platform is an outcome-oriented and product-driven topical workshop format (topical workshops led by SMEs and supported by a rapporteur with input by SMEs and guest speakers); the third platform is a series of “night owl” sessions held in the style of a DV “fire side chat.” The seminar is five days all inclusive (in on Monday, out on Friday), with four academic days, approximately sixty participants from mid-to-senior level positions, five working groups, and approximately ten guest speakers. The projected dates are 14 - 18 January 2019.

The Marshall Center is hosting the European Security Seminar – South (ESS-S 18-06) from 14 – 18 January 2019. (Marshall Center graphic by Dr. Stan Jones)

For application and deadline information, contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., your ministry point of contact, or the U.S. or German Embassy in your capital city.